Music in our life

Can you think of a day without music? We can hear music everywhere: in the streets and at home, over the radio and on TV, in the shops and in the parks. People all over the world are fond of music. They listen to music, they dance to music, they learn to play musical instruments.

But what is music? Specialists explain that music isn't only a combination of pleasant sounds. It is an art, which reflects life. There are a lot of different kinds of music. Some of them appeared long ago, and some are modern. For example, folk music appeared long ago, but it is still alive. There are many local performers, choirs and folk groups in Russia. Folk songs are very tuneful and pleasant to listen to. Classical music is often associated with the music of the past. However, this style also includes music written nowadays, and we may speak of modern classical music. Rap is a modern musical style where the singer speaks or shouts the words in time to music with a steady beat.

Great Britain has produced more popular music stars than any other country. Over the last 30 years rock and pop music have been very popular in Britain. The Beatles, with their style of singing, eloquent and exciting, is still one of the most popular groups. British groups often set new trends in music. New styles, groups and singers continue to appear. Some of the more recent pop groups are Dire Straits, Eurhythmies and Spice Girls. Many of the new bands have been able to use the changes in technology to develop their music. Computerized drum machines, synthesisers and other electronic instruments are now just as popular as the piano and electric guitars.

Tastes differ. So people's musical interests range from pop and rock music, which are extremely popular nowadays, especially among young people, to classical music and opera.

It's a pity that many young people like to listen only to modern music. Classical music is always a complex of emotions. It can give you delight, pleasure and a sense of happiness. Some pieces of classical music are really wonderful.

It goes without saying that music plays a very important role in people's life. It reflects our mood and emotions. Music appeals to our hearts and transforms our feelings. It conquers our souls and enriches our minds. Besides, listening to music is the perfect way to spend free time and not to feel bored. You can hardly find a person who doesn't like or need music, who never sings or dances. Music is beauty in sounds, it is our magic source of inspiration.

Notes

1. еloquent - красноречивый

2. conquer – покорять

Вариант 5

The olympic games

The Olympic Games have a very long history. They began in ancient Greece where they were held in honour of Zeus, the princi­pal god of the Greeks. They lasted for five days and became a sym­bol of peace and friendship, because in keeping with the decree of that time no wars could be waged during the Games. The athletes competed in running, boxing, wrestling, horse and chariot racing, and the like. However, women were unable to compete. They couldn't even be present among the spectators during the games. The winners were presented with laurel wreaths in the temple of Zeus. There is a list of winners dating from 776 ВС. Though there were other regular sports competitions in an­cient Greece, the Greeks considered the Olympics, which took place every four years, so important that they calculated time by them. The Olympic Games were held for nearly twelve cen­turies until they were abolished in 394 AD by the Roman Em­peror Theodosius I who became Christian.

The Olympic Games were revived only at the end of the 19th century thanks to Baron Pierre de Coubertin. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896 to underline the importance of precedent. The International Olympic Commit­tee, the central policy-making body of the Olympic movement, was also set up in 1896. It is composed of representatives from all the countries, which take part in the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee decides on the programme of the games, the number of the participants, and the host-city for the games. Over one hundred and fifty countries are represented in the International Olympic Committee now. Each coun­try also has its National Olympic Committee. Summer and Winter Games are held separately. There are always several cities keen to host the Games. The International Com­mittee selects the most suitable city and it starts preparations for the competitions, constructs new sports facilities, stadiums, ho­tels, press centres. Thousands of athletes, journalists, and guests come to the Games, so it takes a lot of effort to arrange every­thing. There is always an interesting cultural programme of con­certs, exhibitions, festivals etc. for every Games.

Russia joined the Olympic movement in 1952. Since then it has won a lot of gold, silver and bronze medals.

Notes

1. wage - вести

2. сhariot – колесница

3. the like – тому подобное